Barcelona Fun at the Zoo Highchair

This chair is one of the more basic models, but has enough good points to make it a reasonable budget option. It really comes into its own if you have a small apartment as it is one of the few chairs that can be folded away for easy storage (although it doesn’t fold completely flat). The chair isn’t as spongy as some of the others and doesn’t seem all that supportive in the early months of weaning. The tray can be removed and clipped back on when baby is secure, which is great as they get older as you don’t have to push chubby legs under the table. It also makes it easy to wash.Price: Dhs275Age range: 6 months+From Mothercare (04 295 9061)

AntilopFor a basic chair that does the job, this is perfectly suitable and a crunch-busting favourite at just Dhs49. If you want to try before you buy there are plenty in the IKEA café. It doesn’t pack flat, which may be a problem if you don’t have a lot of space, but you’ll probably find that any chair you have you will leave up most of the time anyway as they’re so handy. It can be pushed up to the family table or used with the optional tray attachment. There’s no soft cushioning for baby’s bottom, but at least you won’t have to scrape dried food out of the stitching with your fingernails.Price: Dhs49 (also in blue and red Dhs69), tray Dhs20 (white only)Age range: 6-36 monthsFrom IKEA (04 203 7555)

Peg Perego Prima Pappa Diner

More of a royal throne than a highchair, this dining seat has everything you could want – but with that comes weight and size. It has a big soft cushion and ample table space, but it is huge. The wide legs, which are great to stop it from tipping, open so far that unless you have a lot of space it is unsuitable. Switches to move the table into position are also difficult to use if you are holding your baby and have nowhere else for them to sit. On the positive side, it’s a nice bright colour, cleans easily and looks super-comfortable. Sadly, that might not be enough to make it into everyone’s kitchen considering the hefty price tag.Price: Dhs799Age range: Age range: children up to 17kgFrom Toys R Us (04 206 6552)

Chicco Happy Snack Highchair

This is a great option with a soft cushion, a bar to stop slumping babies sliding off their chair and a nice table that adjusts to the size of your ever-growing tot. It also has a cup holder (although this will probably be lost on most babies). The other great addition is a huge storage bag, which hangs under the chair and is useful for keeping bibs, cloths and a host of distracting toys for while you’re making lunch. Like the Barcelona, it doesn’t pack away very flat, but it also doesn’t take up as much room as the Peg Perego, and is a great mix of the two.Price: Dhs449Age range: 6-36 monthsFrom Toys R Us (04 206 6552)

Stokke Tripp Trapp

This is a good chair: not only does it make your baby to sit up straight, which is great if you have a slumper, but it will last forever. If you want to teach your little one the importance of eating together as a family at an early age, this is the chair to buy as it can be pushed right up to the dinner table. Just be careful that baby doesn’t push himself backwards off the table edge. There are also accessories, such as a table tray and a padded seat, recommended because the original seat is quite hard. Although it gets the thumbs up, this is an expensive option, especially when you start adding tables and cushions.Price: Dhs1,295 Age range: 6 months+From JustKidding (04 341 3922)